Historical Crossroads: The Story of Des Plaines, Illinois
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Des Plaines River Valley: A Rich History and Bright Future
Before the first eastern settlers arrived in the early 19th century, the Des Plaines River Valley was home to the Potawatomi, Ottawa, and Chippewa tribes. Post the Treaty of Chicago in 1833, pioneers from New England and New York began to cultivate the land that would one day be known as Des Plaines. During the 1840s and 1850s, German immigrants, in pursuit of economic and political liberty, significantly populated the region, making German the lingua franca in many local homes and places of worship.
In the 1850s, the Illinois and Wisconsin Land Company, a team dedicated to establishing a rail link from Chicago to Janesville, Wisconsin, chose the site for Des Plaines. By 1857, the Chicago, St. Paul, and Fond du Lac Railroad kicked off daily train services between Janesville and Chicago, marking the area with the "Town of Rand" subdivision, named after early settler Socrates Rand. After a series of ownership and name changes, the area's station was named Des Plaines in 1859, and the subdivision followed suit in 1869.
Incorporation and Growth
Des Plaines was officially incorporated in 1869, with the census the following year recording a population of 800. It was reincorporated as a Village in 1873 and organized formally in 1874 with its first village board; Franklin Whitcomb, a notable local brick manufacturer, served as the first village president.
The steam-powered grist mill next to the Des Plaines River, built in 1852 and later converted by Socrates Rand, became a central figure in the local economy. Although now demolished, it played a crucial role in the development of the downtown business district, which sprang up around the railroad tracks and mill.
Modern Governance and Expansion
In 1925, Des Plaines adopted its current city form of government, with H.T. Bennet inaugurated as the first mayor. The subsequent annexations of the Village of Riverview and the Orchard Place area in 1956 expanded the city further, paving the way for industrial and residential development, especially after the construction of the Northwest Tollway.
A New Era of Prosperity
The post-World War II era marked significant growth, fueled by migration from Chicago and the development of the Chicago-O'Hare International Airport in nearby Orchard Place. This period saw the population soar from 9,000 to over 50,000.
Des Plaines Today: A Hub of Culture and Opportunity
Today, Des Plaines thrives as a vibrant and diverse community, boasting excellent transportation links including Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, a dynamic downtown with attractions like the renovated Des Plaines Theatre and Rivers Casino, over 100 restaurants, top-tier schools and parks, and robust local employment opportunities. Safe and welcoming neighborhoods continue to make Des Plaines an attractive destination for living, working, and entertainment. Join us and explore what makes Des Plaines, a key city near Chicago, truly unique.
Landscaping Company In Des Plaines, IL
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